Ex-Trail Blazer Jerome Kersey died of blood clot in lung

Former Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerome Kersey died of a blood clot in his lung, the Oregon medical examiner said, according to the Associated Press.

An Oregon medical examiner has concluded that former Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerome Kersey died of a blood clot in his lung, according to the Associated Press. 

Kersey died Wednesday at the age of 52. The clot originated in his left calf and traveled to his left lung, the medical examiner said. Kersey had minor knee surgery on Friday, but it is unclear if the surgery was the cause of the clot.  

Jerome Kersey Tribute

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Charles Barkley and A.C. Green try to box out Jerome Kersey in Game 3 of the 1995 Western Conference quarterfinals.

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Jerome Kersey dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of the 1998 Western Conference semifinals.

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Jerome Kersey shoots at the Oakland Coliseum.

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Jerome Kersey played 11 seasons for the Portland Trail Blazers.

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Jerome Kersey tries to get by Chris Mullin.

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Jerome Kersey pumps his fist as he runs past Eddie Jones during a Western Conference semifinal.

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Michael Jordan tries to hold off Jerome Kersey during Game 6 of the 1992 NBA Finals.

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Charles Barkley and Jerome Kersey battle for position during a 1998 game in Houston.

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Kersey played in 76 games for the Golden State Warriors in the 1995-96 season.

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Jerome Kersey shows his displeasure to referee Hue Hollins in a 1997 game in Salt Lake City.

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Jerome Kersey retired in 2001 with 11,825 points, 6,339 rebounds, 2,134 assists and 799 blocks.

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Jerome Kersey rebounds against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 2 of the 1999 Western Conference Finals.

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Kersey won his only NBA title while playing with the San Antonio Spurs in 1999.

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Jerome Kersey performs with the Blazer Dancers during a game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Blazers on April 12, 2013 at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland.

Kersey played 17 NBA seasons between 1984 and 2001. He played his first 11 seasons with the Blazers and spent the final six years of his career with five teams, winning an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 1999. He has played the second-most games of any Blazer ever and is also No. 2 all-time on the franchise's list of leading rebounders.  

Kersey was a second-round pick out of Division-II Longwood University in 1984. He left school without his degree but returned after he retired and graduated in 2006. He was the commencement speaker at the school's graduation ceremony in 2009.

- Dan Gartland